The Mayflower, Southampton Reviews 22

Attended Matilda on 29th Aoril 2026. A well known show excellently executed by the current cast. The young performers did not disappoint providing accuracy and clarity in voice,dance and song. The key adult parts excellent with acting and singing matching the quality of the overall performance. It's a long show for the younger child who would do better with an early pwrformance. Occasional strobe lighting is full on/off so be warned.

Me my husband and our toddler of 2y went to see the Christmas Carol show which I have booked weeks ago with the information that it is suitable for "All ages". When we checked in as we were slightly late a member of staff informed us that we can't seat in our booked places and that they are others available at the very end of the stade, which was ok with us. Since then around 10 more people joined approx. 3 more families who they sat in their places having others to stand up, which again was just an observation.
Our toddler was standing at times bubbling which the ladies next to us found amusing and sweet being in a good mood enjoying the show and our company in general. However, that old in age member of staff was walking up and down the stairs annoying the audience to tell us that we should take our toddler out to "calm down". I explained to her that he is fine. After a while she returned to ask my husband to stood up as he was seating in a served for the staff seat only for her to seat for a couple of minutes and go down stairs again.
Again after few minutes she walked up to tell my husband is ok to seat there and she ask to seat next to me moving to two seats on her way out and down again.
During the break another member of staff approached us to inform that our toddler can't go up and down the stairs and that others are interrupted from watching the show which wasn't accurate as our toddler only once walked down a couple of steps with my husband taking him outside and then both came back in. We haven't left our baby unattended and in this unsafe manner. As to the audience nobody shown any disapproval and to be honest why this to be our problem as in a All ages show I believe our toddler has the same rights to everyone to be there. Besides, he was acting nicely only being vocal at times which is totally normal for his age!
Eventually as I was upset and our toddler of course felt the irritation and couldn't stop crying being outside of the show away of course from mummy with my husband to "calm down" as that member of staff indicated, we left very disappointed. (Not to mention that in our brief call from my husband to ask to leave, that member of staff put her bl* torch in my face to inform the common sense rule of non-phones policy in live performances. Seriously?? )

would have given one star but the comedian playing Smee was excellent. He carried the show without him the show would have been nothing. I don't understand how they could call this show Peter Pan because there was absolutely no storyline related to Peter Pan. there were only 20 cast members and the stage felt empty. no sword fighting apart from the very last scene where I think the swords were wielded four times. Alexandra Burke's singing when she did sing was fantastic, it would have been good to hear more of her singing as she's the headline act!

A trip to the theatre is always a treat, the Mayflower seems to be well managed, never had an issue with the booking system or the experience of actually visiting.
Staff are always professional and due the huge number of visitors they have each day the place is clean and tidy.
My only nag would be the seating. You are squashed in like sardines... but then to be expected I guess for a building that has been here for such a long time.

I attended Tina the Musical at the Mayflower on Thursday October 16th. The show was good - although better in the second half. It was slow to get going. The support dancers were poor - quite uncoordinated.
Acoustics were awful!! For a purpose built theatre, adapted from the Gaumont it is atrocious.
The seating is also so uncomfortable. I have been left with horrendous back pain from restricted movement. I won’t be returning

Each time I try to talk to someone at the box office nobody answers.
I've waited over 5 minutes several times and still no answer.
A few months ago I had the same experience.
The message on the phone is beyond irritating.Id rather have just music than that silly voice saying"Want to skip the queue?", cajoling me to become a member and then I shall be able to have the "privilege" of someone talking to me.Mayflower you need to have more consideration for your customers.
Answer the d**n phone!!!

Went to see Mary Poppins last night.It was amazing, costumes, actors , scenery it was a great night out. good seats, well done to everyone involved it was a great performance from everyone and a great night out. Thoroughly recommend it!

Went to see Mary poppins today it was an amazing show , the only complaint I had was that we were sat in the circle and there was a goup of people with care needs behind us one screamed all though the performance which did take away our enjoyment .. I understand that everone is differant and wants to enjoy the shows . but It would be better if they were sat on the lower level or that the mayflower had set shows for people with learning difficulties .....

We have seem many shows over the years at the Mayflower and nearly all have been superb! We are so very lucky to have such a wonderful venue only 30 minutes away from home. Rarely have to go to London now. This year we have seen Hamilton which blew us away, Fisher Steven’s as Neil Diamond who we just keep booking for and this week Big Girls Don’t Cry, East Coast Boys which was such a wonderful evening. More booked for later in the year and next year already booked for Elio Pace, what a performer!
Yes sometimes the sound does leave a little to be desired, but overall just superb, life would be a lot duller without the Mayflower. Think about your requirements before you book as there are certain seats for wheelchairs or space to put your legs out further.

Went to see “An Inspector Calls” yesterday. Unfortunately the actors were not wearing Mics: so couldn’t hear a thing they were saying!! We were sat in the back stalls. The music was loud enough, very loud , in fact. There also seemed to be a lot of superfluous actors and children on the stage! Seemingly serving no purpose at all. Unless I missed something in the story!
Very disappointed, waste of money and certainly didn’t help my Granddaughter with her GCSE studies!!

I would like to warn all customers buying any Mayflower show tickets. I brought six tickets in May 2024 for Aladdin show in September 2024. I had paid £19.25 for tickets protection, total paid £294.24.
When I had phone the Mayflower to inform them that two people could not make this show in two days time they told me to fill in a claim form with the tickets protection group as the . mayflower does not give refunds.
Once you go on line to complete the claims form regardless your personal reason you will need to provide written documents from the authorities stating that you are in hospital, and employers note to state you are working on the show date, if you are ill they want a doctor note to say you were ill, if you died they want a copy of the death certificate.
If you don't include these required documents then say goodbye to your hard earned cash regardless of the amount.
And the Mayflower will not help you obtain your money.
So never ever buy ticket protection, it is a con 🤬

Accessibility is incredibly poor. I took my baby and toddler to a show and had them in a double buggy due to health problems. I had to lift them up the steps with no help, carry my youngest while carrying the double pushchair up several flights of stairs as the buggy was too big for the lift. Very disappointed in the lack of measures put in place and the lack of care and compassion from staff. We won't be returning to the Mayflower.

11th July 2024 - Oh Miriam indeed!!!
We came along to Mayflower to see Miriam Margolyes… Unfortunately what we didn’t bank on was the awful guy who accompanied her throughout the performance, talking about himself throughout the show.. yawn 🥱
Not on the initial advertisement…
It would appear he was placed to prompt Miriam into speaking about various subject, many of which had no entertainment value whatsoever.
One such joke this guy embarked upon was utterly absurd, uncalled for & insulting to Mothers.
I’m surprised Miriam thought this acceptable, even with her sense of humour??
Money for old rope is what this show is.. A money maker for Miriam & her onstage associate.
Would I recommend one of her road shows, definitely not!!

Due to being disabled unable to find suitable parking we were 5 minutes late for the performance, as my partner had a rollator we were not taken to our designated seats and left at the back of the theatre for the duration of the first half, other able bodied people who came in later than us were taken to the seats they paid for. The usherette was rude, and abrupt in informing me where to safely leave the rollator just waving her arm leave it there gesture, snapping turn your phones off made us feel like naughty school boys late for class. To leave us at the back when we paid for better seats is unacceptable behaviour especially when able bodied people were taken to the seats they paid for, if you are disabled and ever late for a show good luck in getting to your seats

We went and saw my first ever musical called come from away ,it was amazing the cast were brilliant every single one of them I was blown away with just how good this was it was worth every penny. Go and see this it's incrredible

Went to Lost in Music last night. Great classic disco numbers, superb singers and brilliant instrumentalists. However, the numbers were belted out way too loud to the point of pain (for me) and distortion (felt sorry for Barry White). Probably a personal problem for me but not sure. Also, I walk with a stick and have a lot of back pain, but not registered disabled. Everyone around me standing up - couldn't see the show. Again, this is the way it is. My misjudgement. For future bookings I need to book a side seat or turn up in a wheelchair. Difficult situation, and I'm better informed for the future.

Great pantomime this year. Half our party couldn’t attend , but that was ok as we clicked ticket protect !! We have been trying now with doctors notes and explanation. With not even a response .. do not use ticket protect ! They are giving the mayflower a bad name great show poor after sales

I attended the Wizard of Oz last night at the Mayflower Theatre at Southampton. On arrival. I was walking with a stick as I am awaiting reconstruction surgery on my foot and ankle so I was struggling to walk. A lovely lady at the door greeted me called Maude and she quickly offered me warmth and a chair, which she went to get for me, so I was more comfortable whilst waiting for my friend to park the car. All staff were amazing and a huge shout out to Maude and all staff involved, a wonderful show!!!

I bought tickets for a show for my mother for Christmas, I made a mistake as I thought the show was March 2024, but it was in 2025.
I called to see if I could exchange the tickets for another show, but they wouldn’t allow it.
This will be the last time I will buy tickets from this theatre, so unhelpful.

1
Hugely Disappointing. Unhelpful and Unflexible
Review of Mayflower Theatre
Pending review
I would use to say that the Mayflower was a great theatre however not so much anymore.

I had tickets for a show I can no longer attend due to strikes and their is no other form of transport to get their nor make the any other showings during the week. I asked them to exchange for another show or a credit note but refused because of their NO REFUND POLICY.

I understand but this is not like we did this on purpose and it totally out of our control. The customer service are completely unhelpful and refuse to flexible in any way. Meaning my friend and I not only miss out on a show we were really looking forward to seeing but loose money at an economic time when people can afford to just loose money like that. It's too short notice to get someone else to purchase them.

This is the first time I have ever had to ask this theatre to exchange tickets and never thought they would be so unhelpful when other theatres are so helpful and understanding when I have been in a similar situation.

I am hugely disappointed as I regularly went to the theatre and was a supporter. Now I will rethink purchasing any tickets in future and so will my family and friends.

I recommend you think before buying tickets at the theatre especially in a time of strikes as you may not be able to see your favourite show leaving you disappointed and out of pocket.